CoatingsPro Interview Series

Addressing the Worker Shortage in Skilled Trades

Mike Chambers, owner of Chambers Painting in Sellersburg, Indiana, went viral in December after a chance encounter with Mike Rowe, host of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs. In a Facebook post, Rowe relayed many of Chambers’ hiring challenges, as well as his creative ideas to address a growing shortage of craftworkers for skilled trades.

In a new conversation with CoatingsPro Magazine, Chambers shares how that memorable experience has brought his company a new wave of workers. As part of the interview, Chambers also explores recent industry trends and explains ways that both individual contractors and policymakers can potentially alleviate the worker shortage in the months and years ahead.

How Industry Associations and Unions Can Work Together

District Council 57 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT DC 57) is an organization of more than 2,500 members in Western Pennsylvania. Formed in 1997 as a council made of several local unions, its goal is to represent tradespeople in the region while helping them achieve careers with good wages, benefits, safety, and dignity in the workplace.

Andrew Croll, director of organizing at IUPAT DC 57, has found his affiliations with SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and now AMPP quite helpful to both his career and the objectives of the union. In this podcast, Croll elaborates on the relationship and what the associations have meant to him and IUPAT over the years, and he also offers some thoughts on what the future may look like.

What the U.S. Infrastructure Bill Means for Corrosion Specialists

With the landmark U.S. infrastructure bill recently being signed into law, we discuss its implications for corrosion and coatings professionals with Adam L. Christopher, manager of government relations at the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), and Dan Adley, recently retired CEO of engineering consultancy KTA-Tator, Inc.

Topics include a legislative outline of the bill and insight into some of its major topics; what the infrastructure legislation means for the corrosion and coatings industries as a whole; what AMPP members can do to prepare themselves; and where people should go to find out more information about the bill and any opportunities.

AMPP’s Bob Chalker Sees Evolution, Growth in Coatings Industry

Bob Chalker, CEO of the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), recently joined our special 20th anniversary podcast series at CoatingsPro Magazine.

Topics include the magazine’s evolution over the years and its outlook moving forward; changes and trends in the coatings industry over his time with NACE International and AMPP; priorities for the newly merged association and how it can benefit coatings contractors; and much more. Tune in!

Know Your Niche: Induron’s Davies Hood Looks to the Future

Davies Hood, president and owner at Induron Protective Coatings, has worked in a leading executive role for the past decade. In this exclusive interview with CoatingsPro Magazine, Hood shares some of his insight on current industry trends and keys to Induron’s success; his perspective on the merger of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings and NACE International; and some hopes for the future with the newly merged organization known as the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Rust-Oleum Manager Shares His Outlook, Lessons Learned

David O’Bryan Jr., technical services manager at Rust-Oleum, joins our “member profile” podcast series to share his experiences and key takeaways from decades in the protective coatings industry.

Topics include feedback from coatings contractors and recent technological trends; analysis of the skilled labor shortage and advice to industry newcomers; how industry associations have helped O’Bryan’s career and that of Rust-Oleum; and what he’d like to see from the newly formed Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP).

Concare’s Ron Puszynski on Coatings Industry Changes, Trends

Ron Puszynski, president and co-founder of concrete protection and restoration company Concare, Inc., joins our podcast to discuss his career in the coatings industry and potential trends moving forward.

Topics include how the industry has evolved since the launch of Concare in the 1970s; new trends and technologies to watch for in the years ahead; analysis of workforce challenges and opportunities; and how CoatingsPro Magazine (now 20 years old!) has helped enable Concare’s success through the years.

Lou Frank, Founder of CoatingsPro, Reflects on 20th Anniversary

Lou Frank is currently the business development principle at Coatings for Industry, Inc. (CFI), but he's also known in the industry as the founder of CoatingsPro Magazine. With the magazine celebrating its 20-year anniversary in November 2021, Frank joins us to reflect on the remarkable journey of the past two decades, as well as where things could be headed over the next 20 years.

For more information on CoatingsPro's 20th anniversary, check out the November 2021 print issue.

How Coatings Contractors Should Market Their Business

Matt DiBara, owner of DiBara Masonry and founder of The Undercover Contractor, offers advice for how contractors can grow their business through effective marketing and communication strategies. 

Topics include tips and tricks on how a contract company can stand out from its competitors; the role of websites and new digital tools; strategies to build trust with clients and general contractors; common mistakes and pitfalls; and much more.

Member Profile of Public Utilities Maintenance, Inc.

Curt Hickcox, vice president of business development at New York-based Public Utilities Maintenance, Inc., joins our "member profile" podcast series to discuss his career in the corrosion industry.

Topics include corrosion mitigation strategies of the past, present, and future for electric transmission and distribution clients; the importance of contractor certifications and a commitment to safety; and how associations like SSPC, NACE, and AMPP can play key roles in career development and company growth.